Is Karnataka MLA Byrathi Basavaraj Arrested in Connection with Rowdy-Sheeter Murder?
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Bengaluru, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended senior BJP MLA and ex-minister Byrathi Basavaraj late Thursday night regarding the murder of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva.
This arrest occurred just hours after the Supreme Court dismissed Basavaraj's bail application earlier in the day. The MLA was detained at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru by Devanahalli police upon his arrival from Ahmedabad on an IndiGo flight and subsequently handed over to the CID.
Representing the KR Puram Assembly constituency, Basavaraj had been anticipating arrest following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by the Karnataka High Court earlier this week.
After his detention, he was taken to the CID office in Bengaluru where the formal arrest procedures were completed. A medical examination was performed, and he is expected to be presented in court on Friday.
The CID is likely to file a remand application to request his custodial interrogation.
Earlier in the day, a Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi remarked during a hearing that the legislator had made misleading claims concerning his connections to the main accused, urging him to confront the trial.
“As a public servant, you should possess the courage to face the trial,” the Bench stated.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the CID escalated its efforts to locate the MLA.
The murder of Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva, occurred on July 15 of the previous year in the Halasuru area of Bengaluru.
Basavaraj is identified as the fifth accused in this case and faces murder charges. The Bharatinagar police registered an FIR against him based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
Subsequently, the deceased’s mother stated that she had not mentioned the MLA’s name in her complaint and was unaware of how it appeared in the FIR. The police later claimed to have established Basavaraj’s alleged connections with the primary accused in the case.
Investigators also asserted that Basavaraj had ties with rowdy Jagadeesh, known as Jagga, the main accused, and had met Biklu Shiva multiple times prior to the murder.
Previously, Basavaraj was associated with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before transitioning to the BJP.